Detachable strand connector



Dec. 15, 1942. o. J. BRATZ 2,305,234

DETACHABLE STRAND CONNECTOR Filed March 4, 1942 l I g INVENTOR arm-J 549472 Patented Dec. 15, 1942 DETACKABLE STRAND CONNECTQR Otto J. Brats, Adrian, Mich.,'assig'nor to American Chain a Cable Comparmlnc Brldgeport, Conn, a corporation of New York Appiica'tion March 4, 1942, Serial. No. 423,268

1 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a quickly detachable connector for connecting elements such as for example ropes, cables or strands equipped with enlargements'on their ends.

Among the objects of this invention is'the provision of an improved quickly detachable connector for connecting the ends of cables or the like equipped with end fittings; a connector which is strong and reliable in service, which is adapted to connect similar end fittings and which is equipped with improved means for retaining the end fittings in seated position within recesses in the connector.

Other objects of this invention. will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing, in whichv Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the connector, showing the same connecting two cables;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view as viewed looking downward in Fig. l with the parts in connecting position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing one of the connector retaining meansmoved out of functioning position;

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the body of the connector.

The connector, indicated generally at 9, constitutes an embodiment of myinvention designed for use in connecting cables iii and II equipped with ball end fittings l2r'and l3, and I4 and I5,

respectively. It is obvious of course that the flt- .-tings l2 and i5 may be of different type from that disclosed or may be omitted and the cables Ill and II anchored to supports in any suitable manner. As disclosed the ball ends l3 and I4 may be provided with cylindrical extensions I6 and I1, and I8 and I9, respectively.

Thedetachable connector 9 includes a body portion 20 Fig. 5 which is generally cylindricalin form and is provided with peripheral and flanges 2| and 22 and with a radial longitudie nally extending groove 23 of substantially the same width' as the cylindrical extension l6, l1,

i8 and I9, and extended diametrically to such depth that the axes of the fittings on the ends of the cables will be coincident with the axis of the body portion 20. The groove 23 is enlarged and made deeper near its ends as indicated at 25 and 26 in order that the ball end fittings l3 and It may be inserted laterally into the groove in a the connector and the cylindrical extensions i6,

the groove in the connector by means of two identical collars 28 and 29 which are urged against the flanges 2| and 22 on the ends of the 5 body portion of the connector by a spring 30. These collars are provided with inwardly bent or reentrant portions and 35 which extend into the groove 23 and bear upon the ball ends l2 and I4 when they are spring pressed into engagement with the flanges 2| and 22 as appears more clearly in Fig. 1.

I'he body portion 20 may be-formed in any suitable manner and preferably is formed from a cylindrical rod, the ends of which maybe drilled to a shallow depth providing flanges or cylindrical extensions on the ends of the rod which maybe spun outwardly to form the flanges 2| and 22. The rod may be machined to provide the groove 23 and then the grooves 25 and 26 may be provided by radial drilling. The 001-. lars are formed and provided with the reentrant portions 34 and 35 preferably before assembly The collars and spring are assembled on the rod and then-the flanges 2| and 22 are formed on the body 20 by spinning.

If desired the parts may be proportioned so that there will be no substantial pivotal movement between the ball ends and the connector. The ball ends I3 and It may be inserted and removed from the connector after compressing the spring 30 as shown in Fig. 3. By providing the ball'ends l3 and II with the-sleeve extensions l1 and It, the spring 30 must be compressed to the extent indicated in Fig. 3 to permit the insertion or removal of the ball end fittings such as ll. with the result that the connection will not likely become detac'hed accidentally.

While the invention has been .described with particularity as to the preferred form disclosed, 40 it is understood that applicant reserves theright to all'such changes and constructions as fall within the principles of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

.1. A detachable connector comprising a cylindrical member provided with a longitudinally extending radial groove and radially extending I1, I! and I9 seated on the bottom of the groove. @rical member provided with a longitudinally ex- The fittings may be held in seated position in tending radial groove and radially extending grooves in the walls of said first mentioned groove near the endsoi the body of the connector, peripheral shoulders on the ends of the body, collars surrounding said body and a spring urging said collars in opposite directions against said shoulders, said collars being provided with reentrant portions extending into the first mentioned groove in said body substantially into contact with fittings received in said second mentioned grooves.

3. A detachable connector comprising an elonurglngsaid ring into retaining position and an i0 abutment on said member. for said spring. 

